This is the first volume in the U.S. Department of Education (ED) COVID-19 Handbook,a series intended to support the education community as schools reopen. This serieswill provide tools to aid educators in implementing CDC’s Operational Strategy for K-12Schools Through Phased Prevention (K-12 Operational Strategy) by addressingcommon challenges and providing practical examples. This series will be updated asadditional scientific evidence becomes available, including evidence related to newvariants of the virus that causes COVID-19.
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NEW: Ensuring Continuity of Learning and Operations
Resources to Share
These resources have been identified and selected for the purpose of helping multilingual families understand how to keep their children safe during school closures, and to help continue the education of English learners during such events..
Introducing the U.S. School System to Newcomer Students and Families During—and After—the Pandemic
Although the REL Northwest developed the guide before the COVID-19 pandemic, the information is applicable to in person, virtual, and hybrid learning models. The guide provides resources and tools for schools to welcome newcomer secondary ELs and their families to U.S. schools with information on enrolling, registering, and supporting this student population.
Helping Young Learners at Home: Simple and Fun Activities to Strengthen Development
In this webinar developed by RELs West, Northwest, and Northeast & Islands presenters highlight and demonstrate how to use nine activity sheets informed by the 2014 What Works Clearinghouse Practice Guide, Teaching Academic Content and Literacy to English Learners in Elementary and Middle School. The activity sheets are available in English and Spanish for parents and caregivers to use with their children at home.
Supporting Families of Immigrants & Refugees During Remote Learning
This webinar recording from Immigrant Connections addresses how schools and districts can support newly arrived immigrants and refuges during remote learning. The speakers share resources and strategies applicable to EL families with a variety of needs.
COVID-19: Evidence-Based Resources
In response to COVID-19, the 10 Regional Educational Laboratories (RELs) have collaborated to produce a series of evidence-based resources and information about teaching and learning in a remote environment, as well as other considerations brought by the pandemic. The site has a page specifically designated for English learners where visitors can learn more about a variety of topics including how to promote interactive read-alouds, increase digital engagement, and connect with families.
International Consortium for Multilingual Education and Equity Curriculum Enhancement Packets
Language(s):
The International Consortium for Multilingual Education and Equity (ICMEE) has developed over 120 activity packets across disciplines, ranging from Levels 1-3 of English proficiency, and grades K-12. The learning packets are designed to support the learning and development of multilingual students in addition to or as technology-free learning resources. They can be used in the classroom or to enhance learning at home, demonstrate growth, and to support flexible learning needs during the current pandemic and beyond. The packets include guidance to caregivers and educators in English and Spanish and they include basic student instructions for completing the packets in English, Spanish, Arabic, and Vietnamese.The breakdown of packets is as follows:
- English Level 1 – Entry into English
- English Level 1-2 – Entry into English/Building Background. These packets are appropriate for students between Levels 1 and 2 of English proficiency
- English Level 2 – Building Background
- English Level 3 – Interdisciplinary Inquiry
TED ED
Language(s):
This multimodal platform contains a variety of videos on topics related to social studies, science, health, civics, economics, psychology, and more. Each video includes comprehension questions, questions to prompt higher-order thinking and discussion, and links that allow learners to explore more about the topic on their own. The videos are brief which means that learners can easily watch them more than once to ensure comprehension. While the videos are in English, most are accompanied by a transcript which is a helpful scaffold for English learners. In addition to the videos for learners, TED ED also allows caregivers and educators to customize TED ED lessons for their students. Though the site has videos appropriate for K-12 learners, much of the content is aimed at learners third grade and higher.
Engaging Culturally & Linguistically Diverse Students & Families: Social Emotion Wellness in the Home
Language(s):
English Proficiency Level:
This webinar from the Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL) shares resources and activities that promote social-emotional wellness for students, their families, and communities. The webinar is presented by Jennifer Escue (Refugee Youth & Elders Services Supervisor at Catholic Charities of Tennessee) and Alice Prichard, Ph.D. (clinical psychologist). The presenters describe the impact of toxic stress on children, the importance of supporting social-emotional wellness, the domains of social-emotional wellness, and simple, at-home activities to support social-emotional wellbeing.
Tumble Book Library
Tumble Book Library offers a digital library of animated talking picture books. Books are searchable by title, author, subject, language (English, Spanish, and French books are available), length, genre, Lexile, and Accelerated Reader level. Some books include videos, lesson plans, and book report options. Tumble Book Library also includes puzzles and games.
Reading Tip Sheets for Parents
Language(s):
These Reading Tip Sheets, developed by Colorín Colorado, provide ideas for parents to help children become successful readers. The tips are available for parents of babies, toddlers, preschoolers, kindergartners, first graders, second graders, and third graders. Tip sheets are available in 13 languages, including Diné (Navajo).